I was talkin’ to my sister, Irene, the other day. “What do you have planned for this weekend, ‘Renee?”
“Nothing!” she replies, a big smile on her face. “Jimbo’s off snowmobilin’ up to Presque Isle, so I have the whole weekend to myself.”
“Oh, that sounds heavenly! What’re you gonna do?”
“A whole bunch of nothin,’ Ida. Binge watch “The Good Wife,” maybe. Give myself a facial and mani-pedi, if I have the energy. Catch up on my Oprah magazines.”
“You’re killin’ me! And on the menu?”
“Haute cuisine. Popcorn and Junior Mints. That’s as far as I got.”
“That’s a good start. And let me just say for the record, I am totally jealous!”
Greta Garbo had it right: sometimes, you just want to be alone. Not that I don’t like spending time with Charlie. I do. And I love hanging out with my friends, the Women Who Run With the Moose. Work’s good, too. It’s fun chattin’ with folks, keepin’ up with what’s goin’ on. But, you know what? All that takes alot of energy, and every now and then, I got to fill up the tank. And that’s best done by my lonesome.
I gotta say, I love my own company. Whether it’s workin’ on a project in my craft room or sittin’ down with a good book or video (usually some rom-com Charlie could care less about), I’m happy. In fact, some of my best alone times are ones where, if you asked me, I couldn’t tell you what the heck I did. I just sort of wander around the house, you know, puttering, watchin’ the birds on the feeder, spacin’ out, totally free-form. No to-do list in sight!
Sure, I’m alone when Charlie’s out snow blowin’ or if he spends the day volunteering down the fire department, but there’s nothing quite like a weekend where I have the whole double-wide to myself. I don’t know why it is, but reading a trashy novel while takin’ a hot bath is more delicious if I know he’s gone for a couple of days. I crank up the heat, eat ice cream for supper and rekindle my love affair with Netflix.
Now, you know what the best thing is about havin’ a whole weekend alone? Knowin’ Charlie will be home at the end of it, of course. ‘Cause, to be honest, by Sunday, I’m startin’ to miss the guy. I’ve even been known to go into his closet and smell one of his shirts. You can wash ‘em all you like: they still smell like him. I’ll say to Scamp, “Guess who’s comin’ home today! Charlie!” I might cook the big guy one of his favorite dinners or make him some cookies or somethin’. Scamp’s no dummy. As the day progresses, I see him goin’ to the window, lookin’ out. “Charlie should be here any minute, little buddy. Do you hear his truck?” When he drives up and walks through the door, I’m happy to see him and Charlie’s happy to see me, too. In fact, we’re both kind of refreshed from our time apart.
Let’s face it: when you’re with each other 24/7, conversation can get a little thin. Bein’ apart gives us something to talk about when we come back together. And God knows, after forty years of marriage, that’s a good thing.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: How Can I Miss You
Upcoming Shows and Book Events
February 17: Filming The View From He’ah, with guest Drika Overton, 7:00 p.m., PPMtv, Portsmouth, NH
March 12: Catching Up With Ida, Cumberland County Retired Educators, 1:00 p.m., Portland, ME
March 28 & 29: The Moose in Me, The Moose in You, The Footlights, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. & Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Falmouth, ME
May 26: Book Reading Finding Your Inner Moose, Old Town Public Library, 11:00 a.m., Old Town, ME
For a good time, call Ida! I love entertaining groups, small and large! The following are wicked fun for after lunch, after dinner, rewards banquets, keynote speeches and what not.
The Moose in Me, The Moose in You!